The Elkscentre: Built by a Community, Lived in by Generations

On December 29, 1976, skaters stepped onto fresh ice at the brand-new Elkscentre, and Prince George added another chapter to its winter story.

But long before the first public skate, the groundwork for the Elkscentre was being laid in a very Prince George way — through parades, ceremonies, and community support.

On Monday, May 24, the city marked Elks May Day with a full slate of celebrations. The parade rolled from Woodward’s parking lot and ended at City Hall, where the official opening of Elks May Days took place. During the ceremony, Elks Lodge No. 122 presented a $60,000 cheque to the City of Prince George to help finance the new Elkscentre on Gordon Road. Earlier commitments included an additional $35,000, making the Elks Lodge’s support a major piece of bringing the arena to life.

This wasn’t just a funding announcement tucked into city paperwork. It was public, celebratory, and proudly community-facing — complete with dancers, ceremonies, and crowds. The message was clear: this rink mattered.

When the Elkscentre finally opened later that year, it became Prince George’s fourth indoor arena and quickly settled into its real role — everyday life.

Since 1976, the Elkscentre has seen early-morning practices and late-night games. It’s echoed with the sound of blades on ice, whistles, laughter, and the unmistakable thud of someone learning the hard way. It’s hosted minor hockey, figure skating, school skates, tournaments, fundraisers, birthday parties, and quiet weekday afternoons when the rink felt like it belonged to just a handful of people.

It’s watched kids grow up and return years later to lace skates for the next generation. Equipment evolved. Music changed. Jackets got brighter. But the rhythm of the place stayed the same.

Rinks like the Elkscentre don’t just freeze water. They hold decades of shared moments. They show what happens when a community invests together — not just in buildings, but in spaces meant to be used, loved, and remembered.

Today, December 29, 2025, the Elkscentre stands as a reminder that Prince George has always understood something important: community isn’t accidental. It’s built deliberately, supported publicly, and kept alive by the people who show up.

At PG Designs, these are the stories we love telling — the ones rooted in real places, real people, and real moments that shaped our city.

If your business, building, or brand has a story tied to Prince George, we’d love to help you tell it.

#alwaysbecreating